| Haulage Transport :Moving goods by road | | | | declaration and supporting documents (such as |
| Aimed at importers and exporters, this guide outlines | | | | vehicle documentation, safety and accident reporting) |
| the different kinds of road vehicles used for | | | | and to ensure the goods are suitably packaged and |
| transporting goods. It highlights the key documents | | | | labelled. Traders must also comply with two key sets |
| you need to be familiar with and provides an | | | | of duties - classification and packaging. |
| overview of insurance and licensing requirements. | | | | Classification |
| Find out more about moving your goods in our | | | | Any dangerous goods you're transporting must be |
| sections on preparing goods for transport and | | | | marked with their name, description and United |
| transporting your goods. | | | | Nations (UN) number. |
| ___ | | | | UN classification groups for dangerous goods |
| The different road haulage vehicles | | | | UN Class Dangerous Goods Classification |
| In the UK, with some exceptions, the maximum | | | | 1 Explosives Explosive |
| vehicle weight is 44 tonnes gross (truck, fuel and | | | | 2 Gases |
| load) and has up to six sets of axles. Most foreign | | | | Flammable gas |
| vehicles coming to the UK have two axles on the | | | | Non-flammable, non-toxic gas |
| tractor and three on the trailer, which limits them to | | | | Toxic gas |
| a weight of 40 tonnes both here and in their home | | | | 3 Flammable liquid Flammable liquid |
| state. The maximum individual truck length is 12 | | | | 4 Flammable solids |
| metres, articulated truck and trailer length is 16.5 | | | | Flammable solid |
| metres and road trains are allowed up to 18.75 | | | | Spontaneously combustible substance |
| metres. The maximum width for all is 2.55 metres. | | | | Substance which emits flammable gas in contact with |
| The main vehicles used to transport goods by road | | | | water |
| are Articulated Lorries (Artics). These consist of a | | | | 5 Oxidising substances |
| prime mover with no significant load-carrying area, | | | | Oxidising substance |
| but with a turn-table device which can be linked to a | | | | Organic peroxide |
| trailer. With or without a trailer, the Gross | | | | 6 Toxic substances |
| Combination Mass - the combined prime mover and | | | | Toxic substance |
| trailer - must exceed 3.5 tonnes. Artics have different | | | | Infectious substance |
| types of trailers, including: | | | | 7 Radioactive material Radioactive material |
| • Flatbed trailer - used for almost any kind of | | | | 8 Corrosive substances Corrosive |
| cargo, but goods need to be protected from the | | | | substance |
| elements and theft. | | | | 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods |
| • Tilt trailer - like a flatbed trailer, but with a | | | | Miscellaneous dangerous goods |
| removable PVC canopy. | | | | Certain goods are prohibited from transport by road, |
| • Curtain-sider - the mainstay of road | | | | eg, UN Class 3 goods likely to produce peroxides. |
| haulage, this has a rigid roof and rear doors. The | | | | Packaging |
| sides are PVC curtains that can be drawn back for | | | | You must ensure that a qualified Dangerous Goods |
| easy loading. | | | | Safety Adviser has checked that your goods are |
| • Box trailer - an entirely rigid unit, with | | | | handled and packaged correctly. Drivers of dangerous |
| loading through back doors. A secure option for | | | | loads will need to hold an ADR training certificate, |
| valuable goods. | | | | unless they are transporting small loads. |
| • Road train - a rigid vehicle at the front, | | | | The goods must be well packed to withstand the |
| which pulls a trailer behind it. | | | | disruption and movement you'd expect during transit. |
| • Swap-body system - built to accommodate | | | | You must also check that your export packaging is |
| standard cargo containers. Allows containers to be | | | | clearly marked with the UN classification number from |
| swiftly transferred during intermodal transport. | | | | the table above and with the safety labels |
| • Low-loaders - often used for transporting | | | | appropriate to that class of goods. You're responsible |
| heavy machinery and other outsize goods. Set low to | | | | for checking that your carrier's vehicles clearly show |
| the ground for easy loading. | | | | they'll be carrying dangerous goods. |
| Vans are frequently used to transport smaller | | | | A shipper is legally obliged to make a declaration of |
| cargoes shorter distances. | | | | the danger or hazard of the goods being transported. |
| While goods are being transported, drivers are | | | | For the movement of dangerous goods by sea, |
| responsible for the security of goods and compliance | | | | inland waterways, road and rail, the shipper can fulfil |
| with weight and similar restrictions. Traders are | | | | this requirement by completing a SITPRO Dangerous |
| responsible for providing adequate dunnage | | | | Goods Note (DGN); for air, the correct |
| (protective wrapping) to protect and stabilise the | | | | documentation is the International Air Transport |
| goods and for any damage caused to the vehicle | | | | Association Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods. |
| while being loaded if they are the party actually | | | | However, the shipper can design, prepare and |
| loading the vehicle. | | | | present a bespoke or 'in-house' document for the |
| The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) | | | | surface modes (roads or rail) provided it contains the |
| Programme will oblige fuel suppliers to make sure that | | | | mandatory information. Some chemical and |
| a certain percentage of their sales is made up of | | | | automotive companies have done this to |
| biofuels. Read about RTFO on the Department for | | | | accommodate specific business processes, such as |
| Transport (DfT) website - Opens in a new window. | | | | the need for landscape (instead of a portrait) |
| ___ | | | | documentation. |
| The CMR note: the key road transport document | | | | Security |
| This page explains how the standard contract of | | | | Security regulations require any business involved in |
| carriage for goods being transported internationally | | | | the transport of dangerous goods to: |
| by road - the CMR note - works, and how to fulfil | | | | • only offer the goods to appropriate carriers |
| your responsibilities in completing it. | | | | • make sites that temporarily store |
| What the CMR note is | | | | dangerous goods secure |
| The CMR note is a consignment note that confirms | | | | • have a security awareness training |
| that the carrier (ie the road haulage company) has | | | | programme in place |
| received the goods and that a contract of carriage | | | | • have a security plan in place, if involved |
| exists between the trader and the carrier. Unlike a bill | | | | with high-consequence dangerous goods |
| of lading, a CMR is not a document of title nor a | | | | Read guidance for businesses on transport security |
| declaration, although some states regard it as such. It | | | | for dangerous goods on the Department for |
| does not necessarily give its holder and/or the carrier | | | | Transport (DfT) website - Opens in a new window. |
| rights of ownership or possession of the goods. | | | | From 2010, the Globally Harmonized System of |
| How to complete the CMR note | | | | Classification and Labelling of Chemicals will be |
| You can fill in the CMR yourself, or you can have a | | | | introduced. It aims to protect workers, consumers |
| freight forwarder or the carrier do it for you. | | | | and the environment by labelling chemicals in a way |
| However, you remain responsible for the accuracy of | | | | that explains their possible hazardous effects. It will |
| its contents. | | | | harmonise the codes and regulations relating to the |
| A range of information needs to be covered in the | | | | transport of dangerous goods and means businesses |
| CMR note, including: | | | | must classify, label and package their substances and |
| • The date and place at which the CMR note | | | | mixtures appropriately before placing them on the |
| has been completed. | | | | market. The deadline for substance reclassification is |
| • The name and address of sender, carrier | | | | currently 1 December 2010 and, for mixtures, 1 June |
| and consignee (the person to whom the goods are | | | | 2015. |
| going). | | | | For more information on the SITPRO DGN, see our |
| • A description of the goods and their | | | | guide on moving dangerous goods. |
| method of packing. The description should be | | | | You also have to send a DGN with your consignment. |
| acceptable to the consignor and consignee. For | | | | View a guide to completing a DGN from the SITPRO |
| security reasons, you do not always want the carrier | | | | website - Opens in a new window. |
| to be able to identify valuable goods. | | | | New transit/transhipment legislation in force from 6 |
| • The weight of the goods. | | | | April 2009 may affect your goods. The new rules |
| • Any charges related to the goods, such as | | | | allow controlled goods to pass through the UK |
| customs duties or carriage charges. | | | | without needing a specific UK licence, but also enable |
| • Instructions for customs and any other | | | | customs authorities to intervene or stop a shipment |
| formalities. | | | | if they are concerned. Download guidance about the |
| This list is not comprehensive. For full details you can | | | | Export Control Act 2008 from the Department for |
| download a copy of the CMR Convention from the | | | | Business, Innovation & Skills website (PDF, 115K) |
| UNECE website (PDF) - Opens in a new window. | | | | - Opens in a new window. |
| Generally there will be three copies of a CMR note. | | | | ___ |
| One will be kept by the trader and another by the | | | | Insurance for international road transport |
| carrier, while the third will travel with the goods all the | | | | As with any commercial transactions, there are risks |
| way to their final destination. | | | | associated with trading internationally. This page |
| While the carrier is liable for any loss, damage or | | | | explains the likely risks you may encounter and the |
| delay to a consignment until it is delivered, the trader | | | | factors to consider. |
| is responsible for any loss or damage the carrier | | | | For insurance cover to be valid, you have to be able |
| suffers resulting from incorrect details having been | | | | to show that you have an 'insurable interest' in the |
| provided in the CMR note. | | | | insured goods. This means showing that the goods |
| ___ | | | | are yours and that you bear the risks associated |
| Other documentation issues for transport by road | | | | with them. |
| If you transport goods by road, you need to be | | | | Risks |
| aware of the CMR note, the Forwarders' Certificate | | | | The three main risks that arise in international trade |
| of Receipt, the TIR system and forthcoming | | | | are: |
| legislation changes. | | | | • loss |
| CMR note | | | | • damage |
| This is the main document you'll need to deal with | | | | • delay (including detention at customs) |
| when transporting by road - see the page in this | | | | Factors |
| guide on the CMR note: the key road transport | | | | How risks are shared between buyers and sellers is a |
| document. | | | | contractual matter. The point at which the insurable |
| Forwarders' certificate of receipt (FCR) | | | | interest passes from supplier to buyer is determined |
| Increasingly, international trade journeys are | | | | by the sale of contract used. You should be aware |
| intermodal, with freight forwarders playing a crucial | | | | that Incoterms - a standardised set of trading terms |
| coordinating role. Much road freight is organised in this | | | | - do not cover insurance unless the terms agreed are |
| way. | | | | either CIF (costs, insurance and freight) or CIP |
| 'Forwarders' documents' have been designed for | | | | (carriage and insurance paid to). For more information, |
| these kinds of transactions. The FCR provides proof | | | | see our guide to International commercial contracts - |
| that a forwarder has accepted your goods with | | | | Incoterms. |
| irrevocable instructions to deliver them to the | | | | Under a CMR contract the carrier bears some limited |
| consignee indicated on the FCR. | | | | liability (although this is determined on a case-by-case |
| Using an FCR can speed up payment. For example, if | | | | basis and sometimes the liability can be total), so |
| you're selling overseas and your contract with the | | | | traders should arrange the appropriate insurance |
| buyer states that the goods are collected from the | | | | cover. For more information, download a copy of the |
| factory and the buyer is responsible for arranging the | | | | CMR Convention from the UNECE website (PDF, 59K) |
| freight, an FCR can be issued when your buyer's | | | | - Opens in a new window. |
| forwarder collects goods. | | | | Traders often tend to under-insure themselves, so |
| You can then present the FCR for payment, rather | | | | it's recommended that you add 10 per cent to the |
| than having to wait until a non-negotiable or | | | | amount of cover you think you need. You can also |
| negotiable transport document (the proof of the | | | | arrange cover for contingencies, such as the buyer |
| goods having been loaded onto the transport | | | | refusing to accept your goods when they arrive. |
| conveyance for the main international carriage, if any) | | | | For more information about arranging insurance for |
| is issued, which may be some time later. | | | | your international trade, see our guide on transport |
| While an FCR is non-negotiable, another similar | | | | insurance. |
| document, the Forwarders' Certificate of Transport, | | | | ___ |
| is negotiable. This means that the forwarder accepts | | | | Licences for international road transport |
| responsibility to deliver to a destination you specify - | | | | Unless you are using your own vehicles, you don't |
| not to an unchangeable destination as with the FCR. | | | | need to apply for any licences to transport your |
| The TIR system | | | | goods by road. However, you should make sure that |
| This allows vehicles to cross numerous borders | | | | anyone transporting goods for you is properly |
| without repeated customs checks. Goods are | | | | licensed. |
| checked and sealed at the outset, and the vehicle is | | | | Anyone operating a goods vehicle must have an |
| then waved through by customs authorities until it | | | | operator's licence - sometimes referred to as an 'O |
| reaches its final destination. Traders must set up a | | | | Licence'. These are required for any vehicle with a |
| security bond with the Road Haulage Association or | | | | gross plated weight of more than 3.5 tonnes. Drivers |
| the Freight Transport Association. The system is | | | | who transport dangerous goods need to hold an |
| currently being revised to include a new requirement | | | | ADR training certificate, unless they are transporting |
| for a safety and security/transit declaration along | | | | small loads. |
| with revised procedures for handling transit enquiries. | | | | Three kinds of operator's licence are available, and |
| All traders moving goods across the EU under TIR | | | | you should make sure that hauliers you use have the |
| are now required to submit an electronic customs | | | | appropriate licence for your needs. The three |
| declaration using the New Computerised Transit | | | | categories are: |
| System (NCTS). Find guidance on using | | | | • restricted - the licence holder can carry |
| TIR and NCTS on the HM Revenue & Customs | | | | their own goods within the UK |
| (HMRC) website - Opens in a new window. | | | | • standard national - the holder can carry |
| TIR doesn't apply to journeys within the European | | | | both their own goods and goods for others within |
| Union (EU) because there are no customs checks for | | | | the UK |
| EU-only journeys. | | | | • standard international - the holder can carry |
| ___ | | | | their own goods and goods for others both in the UK |
| Transporting dangerous goods by road | | | | and on international journeys |
| This page explains the procedures you must comply | | | | For international trade, you need to ensure that your |
| with for carrying dangerous goods by road. | | | | operator has a standard international licence. |
| You may see two different terms used to refer to | | | | See our section on driving licences for lorries and |
| these rules - ADR and the Carriage Regulations - but | | | | vans. |
| both refer to the same provisions. ADR is a | | | | Bear in mind that there's a wide range of other |
| Europe-wide code on dangerous goods, while the | | | | regulations and requirements that road hauliers must |
| Carriage Regulations translate that code into UK | | | | comply with. These include rules on the numbers of |
| legislation. The Carriage Regulations also apply to the | | | | hours that drivers are permitted to work. All goods |
| transport of goods by rail - see our guide on moving | | | | vehicles must be fitted with a tachograph to monitor |
| goods by rail. | | | | drivers' working hours. |
| The regulations apply to carriers and traders. Traders | | | | See our sections on drivers' hours rules and using |
| are often asked to produce the dangerous goods | | | | tachographs. |